Failure to Thrive: Izaak's Story

If you're a mom, the moment one of your children is hospitalized, you instantly go into a tizzy! Here's our story....

At our son's 6 month check-up, everything appeared to be ok. Although our son is on the small side (for his age), he continued to thrive.....that is until his next check-up. On March 25th, we learned that our son had not grown in a 4 month span of time. Not only had he not gained weight, but he had also stopped growing in length and his little head had stopped growing as well. My heart sank and I felt like I had done something wrong!

A month prior, I noticed that our son wasn't his normal, happy self. He seemed a little fussier than normal. I also made a note about how skinny he was. I didn't put too much stock into either as he is our third baby and his older sister was always on the petite side. While at a friend's house, who is also a mom, I mentioned that I was a little concerned. She merely suggested that I start giving him formula to "plump" him up....and to see if a fuller belly would ease his fussiness. So....I did just that. Our son slept better and was happier throughout the day (although he's generally a very happy baby). To me....he was seemingly better.

After learning that Izaak had not grown, his doctors placed him on a strict 24 calorie, formula diet. By adding extra calories to his diet, we had hoped to see a change in his weight. After a week, there was no change. So on April 3rd, we were asked to take our son to Children's Hospital.

Our first couple of nights at the hospital were quiet. By our third day, a team of doctors began looking our son over, trying to figure out why he wasn't growing. While "failure to thrive" is common, Izaak's case was not so common.....and not as easy to diagnose. For 7 days, Izaak underwent blood test, genetic testing, had an MRI to look at his pituitary gland, had bone scans, and was tested for Cystic Fibrosis. He also continued his formula diet and was fed every four hours around the clock. Neither of us had seen 2 am in a while....but we pushed through the challenge. After exhausting all lab work that could be done, we were finally sent home....and although we were happy to be going home....we still had no answers. Not knowing has a way of making your worry. Had we done all that we could? Is our son healthy? Where do we go from here?

Since being home, I've continued with his diet. And although I have been instructed to discontinue breastfeeding, I have made sure that Izaak is eating his fruits and vegetables. We have made some headway....as he has now gained 1-2 pounds and has grown about an inch!!! We still aren't 100% sure why he stopped growing, but we hope to learn why over the next couple of months with continued treatment and follow-up testing.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

As a mom, I think one of the hardest life lessons to learn is about respect. Sure it sounds simple enough, but there are so many aspects to teach.

One lesson I'm struggling to get my 12 year old to understand is how to be respectful of her belongings and a shared space.

At the age of 5, I started to notice that my daughter would "tuck away" her belongings in very random places. I'd mostly find her things hiding under her bed, but later discovered that she  would stash things in her closet, under the bathroom sink, and even in her toy box. But they weren't items that normally belonged in these places. I suppose I didn't think much of it until we moved as a family for the very first time. Her room looked like a garbage can! I found candy wrappers, broken toys, missing puzzle pieces, and even rocks in every nook and cranny! I wanted to die!

7 years later, I'm still having trouble teaching her that her room isn't where we store trash....and that she should be more respectful of her belongings. Over the past 2 years, she's received some really nice gifts for Christmas and her birthday....high end purses and clothes.....but I often see them flung on the floor and stuffed along the wall beside her bed. I'll make her pick them up, explain to her that that's not how we treat our things only to go back to square one. I must sound like a broken record....but obviously one that's been thrown into a shoe box under the bed! Nothing I'm saying is sinking in. Even her 6 year old sister tells her to clean her side of the room and tells her she shouldn't be allowed to have nice things if she can't take care of them! I just hope her behavior doesn't start to rub off on her little sister.

Although I don't have a clear solution to this problem, I may have to get creative to finally teach her a lesson on respect!

Teething Madness

As a parent, there's nothing worse than seeing your child sick, or even worse...in pain. A few months back, our little man started teething. We've seen droll, fevers, and some serious fussiness! But what can you do when those pesky little teeth start coming in? Buckle up....it may be a bumpy ride!

Though there are several options for soothing your baby, be cautious when choosing. Back in 2010, Hyland's teething tablets were recalled for having belladonna as an active ingredient and showed signs of poisoning in some infants, according to the FDA. I, myself, was not aware of the problem since we didn't have anyone teething at the time, but thanks to a good friend, I looked into the matter. Belladonna derives from a poisonous plant known as deadly nightshade. Some of the symptoms of belladonna include seizures, slow or difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, sleepiness, lethargy, and constipation. After deliberation with the FDA, Hyland's stated to be "refining it's production, packaging, and testing protocols". As a parent, when it comes to recalls, you can never be too cautious....or so I believe. Of course, when in doubt, always seek medical advice and make a judgement call. Even though I was previously clueless to the situation, I became a little hesitant about using gel on my son's gums to relieve his pain. Luckily, our brand of teething pain medication did not contain belladonna or other harmful ingredients, but while doing my own research, discovered that other brands do. The active ingredient in most teething gels is Benzocaine, which is a local anesthetic to block the nerve signals in your body. In this case....it numbs your mouth when used. I was quick to remember that my dentist uses this! The past few times that I received a numbing agent from my dentist, one whole side of my face was numb....and for hours! I could barely speak, couldn't eat, and was lucky to get a drop of water down the hatch much less in my mouth! So...if this product is in baby teething gel....do I really want to use this stuff in his mouth? Uh....no! Obviously, you wouldn't want to go overboard in using a product, but perhaps you use to much? Can your baby's throat grow numb making it harder for him to swallow? Can this be a choking hazard? Honestly, I don't know the answers to these questions, but I most certainly will be bringing it up at our next pediatric appointment. I have also read that teething gels are not recommended as they harden the gum tissue making it more difficult for the teeth to come in, therefore causing more pain to your child's mouth. In fact, I've read that freezing rings are not ideal for a baby's mouth because they are too hard and can cause the gums to bleed.

I admit that I have used teething rings, although, I refrigerate them versus freezing them. And, I do use Baby Orajel Naturals, which is free of benzocaine, belladonna, dyes, and parabens (which is the most widely used preservatives in cosmetic products). Instead, Orajel Naturals uses chamomile for soothing relief., which seems to be safe for children of all ages, unless they are allergic to ragweed.

All of this information can be overwhelming for new moms and for those like me, who are starting over with a newer baby after being out of the "baby loop" for several years. I am by no means a medial professional, so if you do have questions or concerns regarding your baby, it is always best to consult with your family doctor or pediatrician. Here are; however, just a few ideas that I've discovered for myself while trying to relieve my son's aching mouth.

1) Tylenol:  Not only does it relieve the pains of teething, but also aids in lowering fever should your baby have one.

2) Cold wash rags: As I mentioned above, I do use teething rings, but refrigerate them instead of freezing them. If your hesitant to use teething rings, or just want a cheaper option, cold wash rags are the way to go. Just soak in cold water and let your little one chew or suck on it for relief.

3) Cold drinks: Assuming that your baby is old enough to drink juice, try offering it in his or her favorite bottle or sippy cup. And don't forget the ice! When placed in a bottle or cup, it makes for a great distraction!

4) Teething pacifiers: There are several to choose from, but these pacifiers offer chewing surfaces and textures to help stimulate and massage sore gums.

5) Soft or squishy baby books: Let's face it....every book your baby comes into contact with, will go into his mouth, but there are books made for especially for this.These types of books are designed with teething nubs or rings (and sometimes both) and are general made from soft cloth. You can also find books made for the bathtub that have waterproof, floating vinyl pages. Both options are great for babies!

In the meantime.....know you aren't the only mom to encounter the teething madness!!

Be still me beating heart!

It seems like only yesterday that our oldest daughter was running around in diapers. She loved playing dress-up, watching Disney movies, and pretending to be a princess. Now, she's more interested in makeup and socializing with her friends.This is the time, I've been dreading. When I come to the realization that my little girl isn't quite so little anymore.

Last week, when picking my daughter up from school, I was surprised to see her wearing eye liner. It wasn't a subtle shade either. Instead, she had adorned her eyes with a metallic, glittery tint. As cute as it might have been to her, it reminded me of something you'd see on a cheerleader gearing up for competition! I kept my wits about me, asked her where she got it (the eyeliner), and moved about my business. But it got me to thinking....is she ready for this....or better yet....am I?

The answer is no! Because I still see her as my "little girl", I wasn't at all prepared to handle the thought of her wearing make-up. Questions started flooding my brain. At what age do girls start wearing makeup; what makeup should she be allowed to wear; and how do I teach her that "less is more"? I immediately called a girlfriend of mine who suggested that wearing makeup all depends on the girl. If mature enough, now is the time for exploring, but to set guidelines for what she can wear and how much. At the ripe ol' age of 12 (yes...12!), a little mascara and lip gloss should do. She also suggested, that if worn properly, a little eye shadow in the right shade could be acceptable as well. Let's face it....blue shadow has made a come back, but I don't want her getting carried away with it, either! There's no need to look like a clown, if you're not applying for the job!

I suppose it's time for me to step back into reality. My little girl is growing up. And as much as I want to stop the train we're boarding....well, there's just no stopping it. I may not be the coolest mom alive,  but I figured I could earn some "brownie points" by taking her to a cosmetic counter for some helpful and fun tips on wearing make-up! 

While I'm at it...I better start gearing up for other "things" as well!! Oy vey!! 

Ode to the Boob!

I've been meaning to blog about this.....

Just like any other day of the week, I found myself roaming Target this holiday season. As with most trips, I was not alone. With me was our six-year-old daughter and our infant son.

While walking through the aisles, my son decided to get a little rowdy in his carseat. Once I picked him up, I quickly discovered it was snack time! So what's a breastfeeding mom to do? Yep....I whipped out the boob and let him go to town! If you're one of those people that cringe at the mere thought....let me clarify that I AM one of those moms that wears a nursing cami and throws a burp cloth or blanket over my sons head...but of course, that's more to keep my son focused on the task at hand. Halfway through his feeding session, a woman....a mom with 3 children in tote, stopped me. "Are you breastfeeding?", she asked. Although I was quite amused by her question, I answered with a simple "yes". She begins to commend me for being "able" to breastfeed in public....and not only that, but for doing it so discreetly. She then informed me that there, only an aisle away, was another mom breastfeeding.....with her WHOLE boob hanging out. She was clearly embarrassed!

After our conversation, my daughter looked at me, as to ask, "what's the BIG deal?". So this got me to thinking....what IS the big deal?

I could go on for days about how society and ideas have changed with time....but one thing hasn't...the boob! Let's get real for a second....all women have boobs! They may not all be the same size or shape, but they were placed on our bodies for a reason. To feed our children. Whether you actually choose to breastfeed or not is your personal choice. I do so because it's easy, quick, and by all means...FREE! I can be anywhere, other than driving in my car, and am able to feed my son. Regardless of your feeding choice, don't let the mere sight of a boob embarrass you. Do what you feel is right for you! And if you still can't handle it....look away!

And here's a little inspiration....if this mom can breastfeed in front of her president (President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela) and neither one bat an eye at the situation....well, then why should anyone else?

Couponing during the holidays!

Just in case your're looking for some great deals this holiday season, here are some helpful tips from the Krazy Coupon Lady! I mean...seriously...who isn't looking for a great deal! If you aren't...you should be!

Happy Holidays!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=iJ3tllB_9e0

Stranger Danger 2

A mommy friend of mine posted this to my personal Facebook page and I wanted to share it....not only on Facebook, but on our blog as well.....

http://www.checklistmommy.com/2012/02/09/tricky-people-are-the-new-strangers/